2017 PELC Issue

• • • OFFICE FOR REGIONAL CONFERENCE MINISTRY IN NORTH AMERICA • • •

Telling Our

Story

www.regionalconferenceministry.com

STATE OF BLACK & HISPANIC SDAs 2017 PELC EDITION

Filmed LIVE at the Oakwood University Seventh-day Adventist Church This NBC Television special features a Christmas message from Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, Speaker/ Director of the Breath of Life Television Ministry and Senior Pastor of the Oakwood University Church in Huntsville, Alabama. This special will also feature the music ministry of five-time Grammy award winning music great, Sandi Patty; Grammy Award winning artist, Fred Hammond; and the Oakwood University Aeolians Concert Choir, 2017 “Choir of the World” Winners (Llangollen International Music Festival).

Aeolians Concert Choir

Watch on NBC • December 25, 2017 For a list of stations and times, please visit www.breathoflife.tv or call 256.929.6460.

Fred Hammond

Featuring

Dr. Carlton P. Byrd,

Speaker/Director of the Breath of Life Telecast

Sandi Patty

AFTER RECEIVING TRAINING, THESE STUDENTS PREACH THE WORD TO ALL WHO WILL LISTEN.

Chauntanique Briggs

Leon Jones Jr.

Johanna Larosa

Miles Crawford

Mackenzee Smith

Samuel Darbey

Brooklynn Gary

Edward Binford

Jasmine Smith

PETERSON

-

WARREN

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST ACADEMY 4000 SYLVIA ST. INKSTER, MICHIGAN 48141

PUBLISHER’S COMMENTARY Published by the Office for Regional Conference Ministry in the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists 7000 Adventist Boulevard Huntsville, Alabama 35896 Telephone (256) 830-5002 www.regionalconferenceministry.com PUBLISHER JAMES L. LEWIS EDITOR KYNA HINSON ASSOCIATE EDITOR BRYANT TAYLOR ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER HOWARD I. BULLARD COPY EDITOR CLARISE J. NIXON CONSULTANTS PHYLLIS WARE LEE, ELAINE ALLSTON EDITORIAL For all correspondence and letters to the editors, write: OFFICE FOR REGIONAL CONFERENCE MINISTRY 7000 Adventist Boulevard Huntsville, Alabama 35896 or fax to (256) 830-5078 We reserve the right to publish and edit your submissions and letters.

REGIONAL CONFERENCE OFFICES ALLEGHENY EAST CONFERENCE HENRY J. FORDHAM III, PRESIDENT LaTasha Hewitt, Communications Director P.O. Box 266 Pine Forge, PA 19548 (610) 326-4610. www.myalleghenyeast.org ALLEGHENY WEST CONFERENCE WILLIAM COX, PRESIDENT Bryant L. Smith, Communications Director 1339 E. Broad Street Columbus, OH 43205 (614) 252-5271. www.awconf.org CENTRAL STATES CONFERENCE ROGER BERNARD, PRESIDENT Brittany Winkfield, Communications Director 3301 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, KS 66104 (913) 371-1071. www.central-states.org LAKE REGION CONFERENCE R. CLIFFORD JONES, PRESIDENT Paul Young, Communications Director 8517 South State Street Chicago, IL 60619 (773) 846-2661. www.lakeregionsda.org NORTHEASTERN CONFERENCE DANIEL LAMARTINE HONORÉ, PRESIDENT JeNean A. Lendor, Communications Director 115-50 Merrick Blvd.

Jamaica, NY 11434 (718) 291-8006. www.northeastern.org NORTH PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE ALPHONSO MCCARTHY, VICE PRESIDENT 5709 N. 20th Street Ridgefield, WA 98642 (360) 857-7000. www.npuc.org PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE VIRGIL CHILDS, DIRECTOR African American Ministries 2686 Townsgate Road Westlake Village, CA 91361 (805) 413-7100. www.puconline.org SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE WILLIAM L. WINSTON, PRESIDENT Carl McRoy Communications Director 294 Hamilton E. Holmes Drive, NW Atlanta, GA 30318 (404) 792-0535. www.southatlantic.org SOUTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE BENJAMIN JONES, PRESIDENT Michael Harpe, Communications Director 715 Youngs Lane Nashville, TN 37207 (615) 226-6500. www.scc-adventist.org SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE GREGORY O. MACK, PRESIDENT Bryant Taylor, Communications Director 1701 Robie Avenue Mt. Dora, FL 32757 (352) 735-3142. www.secsda.org SOUTHWEST REGION CONFERENCE CALVIN WATKINS, PRESIDENT Taryan Ramsarran, Communications Director 2215 Lanark Avenue Dallas, TX 75203 (214) 943-4491. www.southwestregion. adventistchurchconnect.org 2015 REGIONAL DIRECTORS/COORDINATORS ROSTER Virgil Childs Director | Regional Ministries | Pacific Union Conference Cell: 909-225-6438 | bmitchell@puconline.org Kingsley Palmer V.P. African American Dept. Arizona Conference Cell 775-338-0858 | genx58@gmail.com Frederick Anderson Coordinator | African American Ministries | Central California Conference 831-262-3838 | famar@sbcglobal.net O’Neil Madden Coordinator | African American Dept | Nevada-Utah Conference Cell 702-875-5979 | pastoromadden@aol.com Dr. George King V.P. Black Ministries | Southeastern California Conference (909) 202-0147 | kinggm@seccsda.org Royal Harrison Director | G.L.A.R. | Southern California Conference 503-819-1498 | hroyal2@yahoo.com

HOW MANY DISCIPLES OF CHRIST ARE IN YOUR CHURCH?

J

ust how healthy is the church you attend or pastor? Which statistic can you point to, when compared with previous years, shows your congregation is healthy or is moving toward better health? Does an increase in tithe or church attendance serve as an accurate barometer to James L. Lewis local church health? What about discipleship?

In fact, there is no explicit measurement for this specific statistic so that the conference or union or division levels might archive data for comparative analysis. We are asked about membership—not discipleship. Yet discipleship impacts all phases of church growth. To date, no one asks the local regional conference church to report the number of disciples who have been trained and deployed each year in the local community to model the Gospel Commission. Perhaps this statistic should be added to the group of categories we use to determine the health of our congregations, regardless of size.

One of the crises within the local church stems from the lack of available disciples—those who serve and model the value of that service to other church members. Conversely, more and more church members insist upon specific services (or rather, entertainment) each Sabbath. These members might drop a few dollars in the offering basket on Sabbaths, but only if they have been properly “served” to their liking. On an even sadder note, these individuals then go to their homes, not to be seen again until the next Sabbath.

In order to give some historical and numerical context to these thoughts, take a look at the statistical analysis on the Regional Conferences over a 30-year period (1985-2015) which appears in this publication. Based upon this analysis (see page 11), the average Regional Conference congregation (of which there were 1,193 in 2015): • had a congregational membership of 264, • returned an annual tithe that totaled $153,254 (average), and • baptized or accepted on Profession of Faith 7.5 new believers in 2015.

This represents a ratio of one baptism for every 35 church members (and a 2.85 percent annual church growth).

While the figures show some evidence of vibrancy for the local church, my current concern is based upon the average baptisms per church and the ratio of one baptism per 35 church members in 2015. Just 30 years ago (1985), the average church had fewer members (an average of 209 based upon 710 regional conference congregations), lesser financial potential (only $61,896 average annual tithe) than its 2015 counterpart. Yet an average 15.7 new members were baptized in 1985. Here is perhaps the most significant point: the ratio of one baptism in 1985 occurred for every 13.3 members. However, 30 years later in 2015, our member-new believer ratio has decreased from one baptism for every 13 believers to one for every 35 members! This is not the direction our numbers should take!

I do not believe that this is information you, the reader, have had a chance to give considerable thought. This says that we have more people and more resources than we did 30 years ago. Yet fewer people are added to the church annually than those who were added 30 years ago. No doubt, there are signals in each church that the Gospel Commission (Matthew 28:18-20 within the context of the Three Angels’ Message in Revelation 14:6-12) may have been upstaged by a more relaxed, more comfortable membership agenda—one that calls for a standard of little or no involvement.

Now this is not an indictment against clergy or church members, but this is an indictment on how we measure healthy churches and what we say constitutes a healthy church. For too long we have viewed church vibrancy based solely upon human participation, as we seek to creatively find ways through the introduction of innovative strategy. The problem is not just stressing desired transactions in a new way, but patterning our agenda with that of the biblical church model. This model stresses discipleship over church membership, and divine transformation preceding any desired transaction. In the future, we must look more at the concept of discipleship and its impact upon the health of the local church. t

— James L. Lewis, Director Office for Regional Conference Ministry

RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017 5

CONTENTS •

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•

•

•

•

•

REGIONAL VOICE MAGAZINE

88

18 5

HOW MANY DISCIPLES OF CHRIST ARE IN YOUR CHURCH?

11 REGIONAL STATISTICS – 30-YEAR COMPARISONS

You will find data chronicling the progress of Regional Conferences over 30 years on page 11, but God wants more from His Church than just numerical progress.

Publisher’s Commentary

by James L. Lewis

Regional Conferences have shown great increases in personnel, property and tithe from 1985 to 2015. But an essential component has decreased—and we must address this.

Compiled by James L. Lewis

8

12

IN MEMORIAM

We pause to honor two outstanding workers who rendered good and faithful service to the Seventh day Adventist Church—Elder William Scales, and Mrs. Dorothy Jones.

6 RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017

REGIONAL NEWS

The deadly 2017 Hurricanes swept across the continental United States, Caribbean islands, and Puerto Rico, affecting everything in their paths. Take a close-up look at our photo essays, and read on-location accounts of assistance from the Inter-American Division.

IAD Reports Photography courtesy of Christopher Louine

18 DISASTER COVERAGE

Nature also dealt a blow to our neighbors to the South, striking Mexico with a deadly earthquake September 19, 2017, exactly 32 years to the day after another killer quake.

IAD Reports By Libna E. Stevens

22

HURRICANE DAMAGE

This photo essay captures the damage one of our churches in Northeastern Conference suffered from Hurricane Sandy in 2012. We will follow up in a future issue to show how it’s been rebuilt and restored.

Photography by JeNean A. Lendor

PELC EDITION

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FALL 2 017

32

24 26

34

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REGIONAL NEWS Lake Region

STATE OF BLACK SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

Read this wonderful account of the student evangelists at the WarrenPeterson Academy in Michigan. They’re making a positive difference, and solid strides for God’s cause.

Reported by Principal Larry Key

26

A HOUSE DIVIDED, Part 1

This Millennial scholar takes a very careful, contemporary look at Regional Conferences, from origins to impact Report by Joseph Smittick

Our latest numbers reveal continued, positive growth.

Compiled by Phyllis Lee

31

STATE OF HISPANIC SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS These numbers also display increases in growth Compiled by Dr. Sergio Romero

32

THE IMPACT OF LATIN FAITH

and sisters in North America. Dr. Romero develops these concepts.

By Dr. Sergio Romero

34

THE IMMIGRANT AMONG US

There is more to the story than mere increasing numbers of our Hispanic brothers and sisters in North America.

Dr. Romero develops these concepts.

By Dr. S Peter Campbell

36

HOPE SERIES God-Ordained Love

For more than 50 years, this couple has learned and shared the lessons of building a marriage under God. Now they are sharing even more. Read on!

By Patrice Thomas Conwell

There is more to the story than mere increasing numbers of our Hispanic brothers RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017 7

IN

W

MEMORIUM

W.C. Scales, Jr.

W

illiam Clinton Scales, Jr., was born on March 18, 1935, in Charleston, West Virginia, to his parents William C. Scales, Sr. (1915 – 2010) and Myra Mills Scales (1919 – 2015). They adored their only child, nicknamed Junior, and from birth taught him to love, trust and obey God. When he was a toddler, the family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where they became active members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Junior was a good child who understood his calling at a young age. At the age of 8, after his life was spared in an automobile accident, he decided to become a preacher—and he never changed his mind. Junior’s parents, who were strong believers in Christian education, sent him to Ramah Academy in Cleveland.

After elementary school, he packed his bags and headed to Huntsville, Alabama, where he would spend the next eight years at Oakwood Academy and Oakwood College (now Oakwood University). As he matured and outgrew the name Junior, he became known and loved as Billy, a distinguished young man with a silky, smooth voice, an easy smile, and a strong love for God. While in college, Billy sang with the Cathedral Quartet, traveled extensively, and did evangelistic work during the summers with his mentor Dr. E. E. Cleveland.

Billy learned much from Elder Cleveland and adopted many of his evangelistic techniques. In 1955, he graduated with a B. A. degree in Religion and Theology, and a minor in Vocal Music. After marrying Lois Yates, a fellow Oakwoodite from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Billy continued his education at Andrews University, majoring in Bible and Systematic Theology and minoring in Counseling. He earned his Master’s degree in 1958. Both Oakwood and Andrews Universities have honored him as Alumnus of the Year.

Elder Scales began his pastoral ministry in the Central States Conference, and was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1962.

While honing his pastoral skills, he assumed the role of father after he and Lois adopted two children, Larry and Linda. His ministry path led him to the Allegheny Conference, then to the Alleghe-

8 RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017

1935-2017

ny East Conference. There he served as Conference Evangelist from 1965 to 1971, while also pastoring several churches in Virginia. In 1966, Billy and the Cathedral Quartet joined Elder Cleveland for a groundbreaking crusade in “May God grant us Trinidad that resulted in 812 spiritual vision to see people being baptized in one summer. Another highlight the invisible, strong faith of that trip was the recording, to believe the incredible, Trinidad Triumph, featuring and divine power to achieve sermons by Elder Cleveland the impossible so that the and the music of the Cathework can soon be finished dral Quartet.

In 1971, the Scales family and we can all go home.” moved to Maryland to pastor Berea Temple, which was —Elder W. C. Scales, Jr. then the largest Adventist Ministry magazine, June 1989 church in Baltimore. He and his father both believed that they were “born to win souls” and together, they wrote a series of easy-to-understand Bible study lessons that they called the Real Truth. One lesson series turned into two, and then gelism, a project specifically designed for grew into an entire evangelism program African-American evangelism and church that was modeled after Elder Cleveland’s growth. In addition to his departmenmethods and strongly influenced by the tal duties, he worked tirelessly and raised book Evangelism by Ellen White. The Real funds to hold evangelistic meetings not Truth program is a wholistic approach to only in North America, but also in maevangelism that includes the presentation ny countries around the world. Before reof the gospel, health principles, family entiring from the North American Divirichment, youth outreach, the ministry of sion in 1997, Elder Scales was inducted inmusic, literature, and personal evangelism to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Collegium with a strong emphasis on lay member inof Preachers and Scholars at Morehouse volvement.

College and was honored as a world-class Through the years, Elder Scales was preacher and evangelist. blessed to have his parents as part of his After the death of Lois, (1934 – 1998), ministry team serving as Bible instrucBill met Madeline (Pat) Barnett, a retired tors and as part of the Singing Scales Fam- elementary school teacher from Ohio, ily. Later, Larry and Linda would succeed whom he married in 1999. In 2003, the their grandparents, maintaining the famicouple moved, along with Elder and Mrs. ly’s tradition of music.

Scales, Sr., to Birmingham, Alabama, In 1978, Elder Scales was called to the where they would begin a new ministry.

Seventh-day Adventist World HeadquarElder Scales served as the general coorditers to serve as the Associate Secretary of nator of Truth Ministries, an evangelistic the Ministerial Association. In 1986, he outreach ministry started in 1999 and led became Ministerial Director of the North

by Evangelist Timothy Lewis.

American Division where he was instruUsing the Real Truth methodology demental in the development of Ebony Evan- signed by the Scales father-son team,

W

Truth Ministries’ evangelistic projects have led to more than 16,000 baptisms worldwide and the establishment of 28 new Seventh-day Adventist churches.

In 2012, Elder Scales was called out of retirement by the South Central Conference and asked to pastor three churches in the Birmingham, Alabama, area. Never putting aside the mantle of evangelism, not even during his illness, this great man of faith spent his last days planning a crusade for summer 2017. At the time of

his death, he was serving as the pastor of the Bessemer First and Brent Adventist churches.

Nearly every summer for most of his life. Elder Scales was, in some way, involved in an evangelistic crusade that resulted in thousands of souls being baptized and new churches being raised around the world. At the close of each service, he would leave the congregation with these words: “Have faith in God. Your sins He’ll wash away; your night He’ll turn to day.

Dorothy Gilbert Jones 1927-2017

W W

e celebrate the life of a beautiful person, a caring wife, a lovingly devoted mother, a proud grandmother, a special sister, and friend. William Ezell and Katie Mae gave birth to their fifth child, Dorothy Gilbert on June 2, 1927, in Akron, Ohio. She died exactly one week after her 90th birthday, on June 10, 2017.

Her father, a cement finisher, hailed from Macon, Georgia; her mother from Milledgeville, Georgia. Dorothy attended Firestone Park Elementary School in Akron until the age of 13, at which time her father’s

brother who lived in Alhambra, California, persuaded her father to move the family there.

Dorothy enrolled in Lynwood Seventhday Adventist Academy, completed high school there, and graduated. She was determined to attend Oakwood College, but in the 1940s and ‘50s, times were hard and money was scarce. Dorothy joined the Colporteur Ministry, and endured many challenges, including jail. She walked and walked, canvassed, and canvassed until she had matriculated through four years at Oakwood College (now Oakwood University). She marched down the aisle to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree in Education in June 1950.

Dorothy was certainly a “people person,” a vibrant woman of God who never met a stranger. But there was one person she met while at Oakwood during her freshman year for whom she had a very special attraction. They met, dated the entire four years, were engaged, and in the summer of 1950, she married (royally) the love of her life, Frank Loris Jones in Cleveland, Ohio. Frank had also graduated from Oakwood with a Bachelor’s degree in Theology. Their marriage, filled with unwavering companionship, love, and devotion, lasted 57 years, until Frank’s demise in 2007. Their marriage was also enriched by their three children, Frank III, Patricia and Steven.

Dorothy had a passion for sewing and design, and loved shopping for fabrics.

She was always dressed elegantly, and did the same with garments she made for her children. She also designed and sewed window treatments for her home.

Have faith, my friends, in God” William C. Scales, Jr. went to sleep in Jesus on Sabbath evening, May 27, 2017.

He is survived by his wife Pat, two children, Larry Scales, and Linda Scales McLaughlin, three step-children Pandra Taylor, Chesca Ottison (Tarus), and James Bennett (Jada); nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, cousins, a host of extended family members and close friends who all look forward to that glorious day when death and sorrow will be no more. t She passed that talent on to her daughter Patricia, who eventually designed and made her own elegant wedding gown.

She served her Church, the Oakwood University SDA Church, faithfully in many capacities—as a greeter, a member, and Chair of the Nurturing Committee of the HARAW organization, (Huntsville Association of Retired Adventist Workers), a member of the Grief Share Ministry, and an active member of a community volunteer organization called SAVSS (Seventh-day Adventist Volunteer Satellite Services). She was also active in the Oakwood University Alumni Association, and she also visited sick and shut-in members regularly.

Dorothy was a gifted teacher who was passionate about her work, and quite effective as an outstanding and devoted educator. From the exciting day in 1950 when she stepped through the door of her very first classroom, she taught for 24 years. Then she worked as a guidance counselor for 20 years. The impact she has had upon thousands has been enormous.

Her greatest legacy and the contribution for which she was most proud, was her “Birthday Card Ministry.” It started more than 50 years ago and continued until about five weeks prior to her demise. It all began quite by accident when she learned that a neighbor had a birthday coming up.

She went home and made him a cake. On his special day she took him the cake and a birthday card. He was so overjoyed that he literally “cried like a baby.” He told her “I’m 45 years old and no one has ever given me so much as a card for my birthday.”

Dorothy said her creative juices started to flow, and her “Birthday Card Ministry” was launched.

She shares this wonderful Lesson Point —Without a doubt, there’s a ministry that everyone can do. Just pick up the challenge and do it. Reach out and touch someone’s life. Make an impact. Share God’s love and show you care!” t

RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017 9

RCM

OFFICE FOR REGIONAL CONFERENCE MINISTRY

STATEMENT OF VISION, MISSION, CORE VALUES The Office for Regional Conference Ministry has posted this document for your review and understanding.

Our Statement of Vision: The Vision of Regional Conferences is to passionately embrace the second coming of Christ.

Our Statement of Mission: The mission of North American Division Regional Conferences is to present the Adventist message with a primary focus to black Americans and to any and all other people groups without regard to race, culture or national origin.

Our Core Values: 1. Excellence: We commit to spiritual, effective, efficient, collaborative leadership, and responsible service to God and people.

2. Respect: We follow the practice of open membership without regard to race, color, or national origin.

3. Integrity: We are above reproach in all that we do ensuring that our actions are consistent with the character of Christ.

4. Stewardship: We receive gifts from the generosity of Gods’ grace and other resources to support His ministry.

5. Preaching: We proclaim new life in Christ in public speech and action giving all glory, honor and praise to God. 6. Unity: In and with Christ as our model of service we stand in unity with the oneness of purpose, mission, structure, and goals of the church.

7. Worship: We believe that God is worthy and we gather together each Sabbath with praise, giving glory to salvation in Christ.

RV REPORT

SDA BLACK CAUCUS 2017 REPORT COMPARISON STATISTICS Compiled by James L. Lewis

Category Tithe Membership Churches

Baptisms/Professions of Faith

Bermuda

$1,768,108.00

2,324

8

138

AEC

$6,763,475.00

16,636

78

1,194

AWC

$2,984,868.00

9,790

58

735

Central States

$1,549,439.00

7,495

34

406

$10,783,391.00

29,982

91

2,522

Lake Region

$4,145,803.00

19,264

73

727

South Atlantic

$4,213,042.00

19,366

87

1,507

South Central

$4,344,963.00

16,344

122

1,123

Southeastern

$4,151,971.00

13,825

71

1,986

Southwest Region

$3,241,424.00

12,268

88

810

$43,946484.00

147,294

$5,521,508.03

3,939

12

105

$32,895,461.90

39,356

150

708

AWC

$6,899,404.02

15,707

61

746

Central States

$4,967,099.44

14,157

54

334

NEC

$41,643,234.58

56,479

203

2110

Lake Region

$11,702,225.18

30,974

106

374

South Atlantic

$23,493,644.65

47,926

168

1168

South Central

$20,115,299.03

33,801

160

820

Southeastern

$23,401,990.12

49,895

163

1753

Southwest Region

$12,192,501.04

25,581

116

783

NEC

Bermuda

AEC

$182,832,367.99

317,815

710

1,193

11,148

8,901

RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017 11

SW REGIONAL NEWS

HURRICANE Hurricane Harvey in August 2017 was the costliest tropical cyclone on record, inflicting nearly $200 billion in damage primarily from widespread flooding in the Houston metropolitan area.

Total fatalities: 77 Highest wind speed: 134 mph Dates: Aug 17, 2017 – Sep 3, 2017 Date: August 17, 2017 – September 3, 2017 Affected areas: Texas, Louisiana, Belize, Nicaragua, Honduras, Windward Islands, Suriname, Guyana, Nicaragua, Honduras, Belize, Cayman Islands, Yucatán Peninsula.

Category: Category 3

12 RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017

HARVEY

RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017 13

SOUTHEASTERN REGION NEWS

HURRICANE Hurricane Irma was an extremely powerful and catastrophic Cape Verde-type hurricane, the strongest observed in the Atlantic since Wilma in 2005 in terms of maximum sustained winds.

Total fatalities: 134 Highest wind speed: 183 mph Damage: $64.66 billion (2017 USD); (Unofficially fourth-costliest hurricane on record) Date: August 30, 2017 – September 16, 2017 Affected areas: Florida, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin (Island), Barbuda, Saint Barthélemy, Anguilla, and the Virgin Islands as a Category 5 hurricane

14 RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017

IRMA

RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017 15

REGIONAL NEWS

Adventist Church Faced with Rebuilding as Relief Efforts Begin in Dominica

BY LIBNA E. STEVENS

D

ays after Hurricane Maria devastated the Caribbean Island of Dominica, leaving buildings, homes, roads and trees in shambles. Seventh-day Adventist leaders visited with local church leaders and members to offer solidarity, astheir needs and be updated on churches and schools. Category 5 storm was one of the strongest to hit the island, killing dozens of people, overflowing rivers, destroying bridges and leaving the island without power, food, water and commution.

“There is destruction all around,” said Pastor Samuel Telemaque, Sabbath School director for the church in Inter-America who visited his homeland on Sep. “There are no trees, no more coconut trees, no more banana trees. You can see see one end of the island to the other, it seemed so transparent.” Telemaque, who up in Dominica and experienced Hurricane David in 1979, an event which has etched in his mind. “I have never seen anything like this,” he said.

Sent by the Inter-American Division (IAD) with Pastor Aston O’Neil, Community Services director for the church in the Caribbean, Pastor Telemaque met with church leaders in Roseau, the capital city and surrounding parts of the island during the four-day visit.

All of the more than 7,000 church members in Dominica have been affected by the storm. “Our members need assistance in rebuilding their lives,” said Telemaque.

Need of Food and Relief Supplies “There is a tremendous need of food, water, toiletries, materials for housing, and psychological aid,” said Pastor Felix Jack, district pastor in Dominica, recently appointed as the Ministerial Secretary for the East Caribbean Conference which services the islands of Barbados and Dominica.

“Many have sunk in the spirit of hopelessness and despair and we really need to bring some measure of hope and relief to them and the community,” said Jack.

Nearly all of the 34 Adventist Churches in Dominica were completely destroyed, except for five which sustained damage but can be used, local church leaders reported.

The four Adventist Schools on the island sustained severe damage, reported Ursula Edwin, principal of the Roseau Adventist primary school.

“Persons have vandalized and removed all computers and laptops from the schools, even books were taken,” said Edwin.

There’s a lot of work to be done in the schools, said Edwin. “It’s a start over. We are not sure how to even begin but we are hopeful and know that something good will work out for us.” t ______________________________________________________________ Libna E. Stevens, is Assistant Communication Director, Inter-American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, 8100 S.W. 117th Avenue, Miami, FL 33183 - Telephone 305.403.4663. Report from IAD Newsletter, Oct. 9, 2017. email: stevensli@interamerica.org skype i.d.: libstevens

______________________________________________________________ Visit us at www.interamerica.org 16 RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017

leavlead sess one ers nica24-27. from grew been

In the Dominican Republic, Master Guides Rescue Dozens from Flood Waters During Hurricane Maria

BY LIBNA E. STEVENS

A

s heavy rains and winds from Hurricane Maria hit the east coast of the Dominican Republic on Sep. 21, 2017, a handful of master guides from two Adventist churches in Hato Mayor were busy rescuing dozens of people, including children and the elderly.

“We lived through a terrible experience,” said Luis Ismael Berroa, a master guide from the El Renacer Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hato Mayor. More than 100 people had already taken refuge at the church, but as water began to fill the building, they had to climb walls and fences to get to safety.

Together with his cousin Sicleidi Nolasco and fellow master guides, Berroa helped transport families through the rising waters. “The water was up to our chest and the current started to pull us,” he said.

“We held hands and headed through the streets away from the strong currents,” said Berroa. “We saw many people about to drown but we locked arms with them and pulled them to safety.”

Safety was found at El Amor Adventist Church about 200 hundred meters away. The church was already providing shelter to more than 300.

“God really saved us and used us to help others,” said Berroa. Another group of master guides from El Amor Adventist Church also rescued dozens of people.

“These young people are real heroes,” said Pastor Silvestre González, president of the church in the East Dominican

Conference, who visited the Hato Mayor on Saturday.

“They were the only ones to come to the rescue of the community during that time of crisis.”

The fire department and military service personnel were not able to get to the town in time, said Berroa.

Approximately 60 people were rescued by these master guides and church members, according to González. t __________________________ Libna E. Stevens, is Assistant Communication Director, Inter-American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, 8100 S.W. 117th Avenue, Miami, FL 33183 - Tel. 305.403.4663. Report from IAD Newsletter, Oct. 9, 2017.email: stevensli@interamerica.org skype i.d.: libstevens

_________________________________________________________ Visit us at www.interamerica.org

RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017 17

REGIONAL NEWS

In North Mexico, Adventist Church Pledges

BY LIBNA E. STEVENS

T

he Seventh-day Adventist Church in North Mexico pledged support for church members affected by the earthquakes in the country and those affected by the hurricanes which hit the Caribbean territory this month.

During a special video message, Pastor Luis Arturo King, president of the church in North Mexico, called upon the membership of more than 150,000 to join in prayer and give a day’s worth of salary to those left homeless recently.

“There are many people suffering, but we know that there are many people trying to help those who are suffering,” said King.

The North Mexican Union leadership will forgo using their special funds designated for church development and evangelism during the rest of the year and use them for assisting affected members in the central and southern parts of Mexico.

The union also took an action to invite its nine regional conferences and mission as well as four institutions to designate their church building development funds of the fourth quarter this year to be used for the victims of the disasters, said King.

“We ask you to join the group of church workers, teachers, pastors, and office personnel to donate at least one day of their salary once a month for two months,” appealed King.

Pastor King also said that 100 percent of the ingathering funds collected during the upcoming drive across the region will go directly to benefit those in the affected communities in Mexico and the Caribbean. “Those are specific funds that are always designated for the community in times of disaters, as our ingathering policy states,” said King.”

Church employees are welcoming the initiative which will start this month, said Pastor King. “Many are eager to contribute more than two salaries, even five salaries for some,” he said. The church in North Mexico has a little over 1,330 church employees working in churches, schools, institutions, and administrative offices. t _________________________________________________________

Libna E. Stevens, is Assistant Communication Director, Inter-American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, 8100 S.W. 117th Avenue, Miami, FL 33183 - Tel. 305.403.4663. Report from IAD Newsletter, Oct. 9, 2017.email: stevensli@interamerica.org skype i.d.: libstevens

_________________________________________________________ Visit us at www.interamerica.org

18 RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017

Support for Disaster Victims

RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017 19

NORTHEASTERN REGIONAL NEWS

HURRICANE Hurricane Sandy (unofficially referred to as “Superstorm Sandy” was the deadliest and most destructive hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, and the third-costliest hurricane in United States history.

Fatalities: 233 total (direct and indirect) Damage: $75 billion (Third-costliest hurricane in U.S. history) Areas affected Greater Antilles, Bahamas, most of the eastern United States (especially the coastal Mid-Atlantic States), Bermuda, eastern Canada Category 2 hurricane

22 RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017

SANDY

CLEANUP

Digging Up the Past By learning outside of the classroom this summer, archaeology and art students from Southern Adventist University not only broadened their horizons but also contributed to historic findings. By Oksana Wetmore

S

outhern Adventist University’s Institute of Archaeology completed its final excavation at Lachish, Israel, during a six-week archeology dig this summer. Thirty-five archaeology and art students were part of the team. Now the members of the institute are eager to temporarily put down their gear and focus on publishing their findings.

The digs at Lachish, which have been part of a five-year plan with The Hebrew University of Jerusalem to excavate and establish the early history of the biblical Kingdom of Judah, have been the site of one of the largest expeditions to the Middle East.

With the help of hundreds of volunteers, students, and staff, several important discoveries have been made. The fortification system, a domestic area of houses, and the destruction left by kings Sennacherib and Nebuchadnezzar were uncovered. The buildings included inscriptions, seals and seal impressions, hundreds of vessels, sling stones, and other weapons. Through these discoveries, the team established that Judah was settled in the 10th century BC, not the 8th century.

“This summer was the one that would decide if our research design was accurate and worth it, and we were spot on,” said Michael G. Hasel, PhD, director of the Institute of Archaeology.

While the archaeology majors worked to uncover ancient items, the group of art majors practiced their technical

illustration skills. They drew artifacts such as seal impressions, pottery with writing on it, and bones.

“It’s a practical way of learning, and it is so out of the box,” said Giselle S. Hasel, associate professor in the School of Visual Art and Design.

Not only do these archeology digs provide non-conventional learning, they also help students broaden their horizons.

“I gained a new appreciation for biblical contexts, and my understanding of the impact of the Bible and archaeology in society today improved,” said Tessa Corbin, junior fine arts major. “There is so much knowledge to be gained about the land and the people.”

For Michael Hasel, there is something powerful about excavating in a country like Israel.

“You are contributing to the knowledge base about ancient biblical history,” Hasel said. “But more than that, you are contributing to the identity of Jews and Christians around the world.”

Oksana Wetmore is a junior public relations major at Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee.

LAKE REGION NEWS

Student Evangelists Use Keys to Unlock Peterson-Warren Academy Launches Dynamic Program REPORTS BY PRINCIPAL L ARRY KEY “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” Matthew 16:19.

This is exactly what has taken place—and while those who so eagerly receive and transmit these keys are all very young, ages ranging from 12 to 17, they demonstrate a real and holy boldness. Those pictured here are students of the Peterson-Warren Academy in Inkster, Michigan. They were the primary speakers for two sets of evangelistic meetings—one at their school, and one at the City Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church in Detroit, Michigan. Each meeting ran for ten days. They were trained in this special evangelistic program by their principal and Bible teacher, Elder Larry Key. He is the founder of Keys to The Prophecies; a man called

by God to preach and teach the Prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, focusing on what the Bible refers to as Last Day Events of Earth’s History. The Keys to The Prophecies program takes the inspiration of these special books and makes them understandable to student evangelists. They in turn preach the Word to all who will listen. Currently, four persons are taking Bible studies in the aftermath of these meetings, and will be baptized soon.

And it doesn’t stop there! The students are in training under Elder Key’s instruction for an “Unlock Revelation” series next Spring. He is also preparing them to do radio evangelism. They will be going live on the air in a few weeks with a student radio evangelistic program. He is training them for all of these frontiers.

This dynamic ministry embodies what Ellen G. White counseled years ago: “The student should learn to view the word as a whole, and to see the relation of its parts. He should gain a knowledge of its grand central theme, of God’s original purpose for the world, of the rise of the great controversy, and of the work of redemption.

He should understand the nature of the two principles that are contending for supremacy, and should learn to trace their working through the records of history and prophecy, to the great consummation. He should see how this controversy enters into every phase of human experience; how in every act of life he himself reveals the one or the other of the two antagonistic motives; and how, whether he will or not, he is even now deciding upon which side of the controversy he will be found.” – Ellen G. White, Education, page 190. t ________________________________________________________________ For more information about this inspiring program, see the website. www.keystotheprophecies.org

24 RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017

_____________________________________________ Principal Larry Key holds an Associate of Arts degree from Wayne County Community College; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion, from Oakwood University; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication, with emphasis in Radio and Television Broadcasting, also from Oakwood University. Elder Key also completed a Master of Arts degree from Andrews University in Teaching.

He has completed graduate studies at Howard University School of Divinity, Tennessee State University, and Fisk University, where he completed a State Teaching Certification Program with high honors. He was also a nominee with the Outstanding Young Men of America.

Elder Key has been certified with a Professional Teaching License for the states of Alabama, Tennessee, and Michigan, and Seventh-day Adventist Professional Teaching Certification with an Endorsement in Religion from the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.

Biblical Mysteries After receiving training, these students preach the Word to all who will listen.

Chauntanique Briggs

Leon Jones Jr.

Johanna Larosa

Miles Crawford

Mackenzee Smith

Samuel Darbey

Brooklynn Gary

Edward Binford

Jasmine Smith

RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017 25

RV FEATURE

A HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF CANNOT STAND PART 1

BY JOSEPH SMITTICK

O

n February 18, 2017, black students from Andrews University released a public service announcement expressing their earnest concerns (“It Is Time AU”). They expressed the grievances from racial injustice that they and many before them had suffered. With heavy hearts, they demanded an official apology from the Andrews University administration for the centuries of unaddressed mistreatment.* Surprisingly to some, the same racial tensions seen at Andrews University are all too common throughout the Adventist Church as a whole. Adventists hold the common Christian belief that all of God’s children are created equal. Despite this belief, since its creation, the Adventist Church has had issues with racial inequality and injustice. This resulted in a formal racial divide in the church during the 1940s (Andrews University Student Association). While this may have pacified the issue at the time, we now face the difficult task of reuniting the two churches that have grown and developed separately. Not only are they different racially, but they also embrace their own styles of worship. The questions must be asked, “What does denominational unity look like? Do the biggest factors inhibiting this unity have more to do with race relations, worship styles, or an inseparable combination of the two?”

The Seventh-day Adventist church was born out of the Millerite movement after the Great Disappointment of 1844 (“United for Mission: One Hundred and Fifty Years”). Through carefully studying the Bible and the leadership of our prophetess, Ellen G. White, the early Adventists embraced many changes to the traditional church structure they once knew. They discovered that Jesus’ second coming was never given a specific date in the Bible. They also discovered other key beliefs that formed the foundation of our denomination, such as the belief in the seventh day as the Sabbath and the belief that the dead will not rise until Christ comes again. Although they were receptive to the majority of Ellen White’s divine revelations, there was one that they found particularly hard to swallow.

In the early 1890s, a special burden was placed on Ellen White’s heart to minister to the negro people in the South. She delivered

26 RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017

an address at the General Conference Session titled “Our Duty to the Colored People” and even began publishing books on the topic (Baker, “African American SDA Timeline”). This calling was then passed down to her son, James Edson White. He and a few other missionaries traveled along the Mississippi River sharing the gospel with the negro people. This was the first time a large effort was made to bring African Americans into the church, and it succeeded. Despite the divine obligation of white Adventists to accept black Adventists as their brethren in Christ, many of them found this to be an unthinkable challenge. Racism was still a very integral part of the United States at the time, and within the doors of the SDA church, it was no different. This was evident by the acts of prejudice and injustice many black Adventists faced.

In 1889, the General Conference adopted the Kilgore Policy which facilitated segregation in the majority of white SDA churches. In 1909, Lewis C. Sheafe decided to leave the church after appealing to the General Conference for integration and being denied several times. Finally, in 1910, a negro department was established in the General Conference; however, only white leaders were appointed to this department until 1918. In 1926, the church enacted a policy that allowed black ministers to be “in charge” of black union work, but it stated within the policy that black union leaders were allowed no administrative authority. After being fed up with the restrictions set on black leadership, black leaders proposed the idea of black conferences at several GC councils in 1929. The GC then appointed a council consisting of eleven white members and five black members to study the advisability of the establishment of regional conferences and make a recommendation based on their findings. Despite the committee’s recommendation, the proposal was still denied (Baker, “African American SDA Timeline”).

Tensions continued to rise until the death of Lucy Byard, an elderly African American woman from Brooklyn, New York (B. Baker, “Crucial Moments,” 118-124). She was also a longtime

member of the Adventist Church. In 1943, Lucy came to Washington D.C. to visit her husband. However, shortly after arriving, she became fatally ill with pneumonia. Her husband rushed her to Washington Adventist Sanitarium. Both Lucy and her husband were of a very light complexion and it was not evident that they were black, so the hospital admitted her and began treatment. However, after reading through her medical records, the nurses discovered she was black. Upon this discovery, they immediately ceased all treatment and forced her to seek treatment elsewhere. Lucy pleaded with the doctors, “Please, we are all God’s children. Please help me—I am near death.” However, their hearts were cold and they refused to listen. Lucy and her husband called a cab to Freedman’s Hospital at Howard University. Shortly after arriving, Lucy passed away. There was no question that her death could have been prevented if she had been treated sooner. Her death was the final straw. Adventists around the country were shocked and appalled by what had happened. White Adventists could no longer ignore the overt discrimination that was so widely practiced within their institutions; something had to be done. During the Spring Council of 1944, the GC voted for the establishment of black regional conferences.

Today the Adventist church is seriously divided. Mia Lindsey, a black student formerly at Southern Adventist University, witnessed this division firsthand. Mia grew up in a black church, but she attended a white academy. She noticed that her pastor knew several black pastors in other states, but had never met the pastor of the white church five minutes away. “Some of the friends I have made at Southern have confirmed this, expressing they only attended the state or regional conference’s churches and schools and were surprised when they met people who lived in the same area as them, yet were a part of a different, parallel structure.”

While Mia has grown up with this division her whole life, she sees the current structure of the church as counterproductive and dysfunctional.

RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017 27

RV FEATURE “At our schools, young people are being taught that the 14th fundamental belief of the Seventh-day Adventist church is ‘Unity in Christ,’ while at the same time they are growing up in a segregated church.” Although Mia believes the segregation is wrong, she realizes that the two organizations are established and that dissolving them into one at the present time would cause more harm than good. Understanding this, she believes the two must gradually grow into one via the interaction of youth from both sides. While she doesn’t outright address the ongoing conflict over worship style, she believes that the key to being able to see eye-to-eye is by building personal relationships with each other, across color barriers.

Jessica Connor* is a biracial Japanese and Caucasian student who currently attends Andrews University. As a child, she lived in Ghana where her parents were missionaries. She has fond memories of her church experience there: “The West African worship style that I experienced [was] joyful and reflected the excitement people had to be worshiping God.” At the age of seven, her family moved to America where she attended a conservative Caucasian church.

Now that she is at Andrews, she attends two churches, Pioneer Memorial Church and New Life Church. Pioneer Memorial Church is the official church of Andrews University and is quite diverse, with a conservative worship style commonly found in most Caucasian churches. New Life Church is the local African American church near Andrews, with a very expressive and fervent worship style. Although she has her preferences, growing up experiencing several styles of worship has allowed Jessica to be able to appreciate all styles of worship. “I don’t care much for ‘Contemporary Christian’ styles of music and electric guitars, but I’ve seen some people who are so moved by the music and praising God and I would never want that experience to be taken away from them.”

Jessica also believes that while we shouldn’t have divided conferences, it is not bad to have individual churches that worship separately. “I think if all churches are accepting and loving towards anyone who enters their doors,

28 RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017

having separate churches for different cultures are a beautiful thing.” When asked what she believes are the steps to be taken to move towards unity, she said she believes open and honest communication between the two groups is crucial. As part of the reconciliation process, apologies need to be made for past grievances. Most of all, we need not let our small differences hinder our ultimate pursuit for heaven under one common faith. t ___________________________________________ *For full coverage of the #ItIsTimeAU story, please see our Spring 2017 issue of Regional Voice online at wwwregionalconferenceministry.com ____________________________ Millennial Scholar Joseph Smittick researched these concepts to complete an Oakwood University Freshman Composition course taught

by Dr. Kem Roper during Spring semester 2017. We will share conclusions from his project in our next issue of Regional Voice Magazine. _____________________________________________ Works Cited Andrews University Student Association. “A Forum on State and Regional Conferences.” YouTube, uploaded by weareAUSA, 8 March 2015, www.youtube. com/watch?v=q2-ilg2utEc. Accessed 27 March 2017 Anonymous African American pastor.

Personal interview. 5 April 2017 Anonymous Hispanic pastor. Personal interview. 4 April 2017 Baker, Benjamin. African American Sev-

enth-day Adventist Timeline:1863-1899, blacksdahistory.org. node Accessed 28 March 2017 Baker, Benjamin. Crucial Moments: Twelve Defining Events in Black Adventist History, Review & Herald Publishing 1 May 2005. Pp. 118-124 *Connor, Jessica. Personal interview.

5 April 2017 (Name changed to protect identity).

Lindsey, Mia. “Separate, but United?

The Conundrum of Race-based Conferences”. Spectrum Magazine, Adventist Forum, 15 Nov. 2012, spectrummagazine. org/article/mia-lindsey/2012/11/15/separate-united-conundrum-race-based-conferences. Accessed 27 March 2017.

“It Is Time AU.” YouTube, uploaded

by Garrison Hayes, 18 February 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpskBk0fp4o. ____________________________________________ Works Consulted Baker, Delbert W. Telling The Story: An Anthology on the Development of the Black SDA Work, Black Caucus of SDA Administrators, Mar. 1996. documents.adventistarchives.org/Books/TTS1996.pdf. Accessed 27 March 2017.

Banfield, Warren S. “Race Relations: How Far Have Adventists Come,” Telling The Story: An Anthology on the Development of the Black SDA Work, Adventist Review, 1990, pp. 5/6-5/6 “United for Mission: One Hundred and Fifty Years.” Adventist.org, 18 Sep. 2013, http://www.adventist.org/en/information/ history/article/go/-/united-for-missionone-hundred-and-fifty-years/. Accessed 28 March

Carey, Sophia. Personal interview. 5 April 2017 Lindsey,he Black SDA Work, Black Caucus of SDA Administrators, Mar. 1996. documents.adventistarchives. org/Books/TTS1996.pdf. Accessed 27 March 2017.

Banfield, Warren S. “Race Relations: How Far Have Adventists Come,” Telling The Story: An Anthology on the Development of the Black SDA Work, Adventist Review, 1990, pp. 5/6-5/6 “United for Mission: One Hundred and Fifty Years.” Adventist.org, 18 Sep. 2013, http://www.adventist.org/en/information/history/article/go/-/united-for-mission-one-hundred-and-fiftyyears/. Accessed 28 March 2017

FAQs

Office for Regional Conference Ministry www.regionalconferenceministry.com

What is the Office for Regional Conference Ministry?

Established in 1996, the Office for Regional Conference Ministry (ORCM) coordinates presenting the passion and urgency of the Third Angel’s Message, primarily to urban and under-represented communities in the North American Division (NAD).

More specifically the ORCM, headquartered at Oakwood University, Huntsville, Alabama, USA, provides guidance, influence and advocacy for Regional Ministry throughout the United States; it also provides the follow-through to the shared vision of the Regional Leadership for the advancement of the gospel and imminent return of Jesus Christ.

Which SDA institutions affiliate with the ORCM? At the core of the ORCM are nine Regional Conferences and the Bermuda Conference, the Regional Directors of the Pacific and the North Pacific Unions, as well as Oakwood University, Message and Regional Voice Magazines, the Annual Pastoral and Evangelism Leadership Conference, the Bradford-Cleveland-Brooks Leadership Center, the Breath of Life telecast, BAYDA

(Black Adventist Youth Directors Association) and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan.

What is a Regional Conference?

Regional Conferences are similar in organizational structure to all other NAD conferences. However, a 1944 General Conference vote established Black-administered Regional Conferences.

At that time, the catalyst for their formation was the segregationist policies, which, unfortunately, have had a lasting impact on American life. Yet, Regional Conferences have emerged as important leaders in the church’s mission in the United States.

How do Regional Conferences benefit the SDA Church?

Regional Conferences benefit North America and the world church in several ways, namely: • The North American church has experienced exponential growth to such an extent that the ratio of “minority” membership in the church is significantly higher than that in the general US population.

• Through the Annual Pastoral and Evangelism Leadership Conference, Regional Conferences hold the SDA Church’s largest annual professional

growth seminar for pastors, and • Based upon our membership, evangelistic growth and tithing contributions, if one were to ask for a comparison, the Regional Work would rank as the NAD’s second largest union and the SDA Church’s fourth largest division.

Now that segregation is illegal in the United States, do we still need Regional Conferences?

Yes. Regional Conferences were established to fulfill a unique need in the church’s overall mission. Government policies have indeed changed, but sociological realities in America remind us constantly that the need for which Regional Conferences were formed is still very urgent in the 21st century.

Are Regional Conferences just for African Americans?

No. Regional Conference membership includes not only African Americans, but actually 123 non-Black congregations (Korean, Brazilian, Portuguese, Asian, African, Indonesian and Latino, for example)—thus, sharing the everlasting gospel with “every nation, kindred, tongue and people.” t

REGIONAL NEWS

REGIONAL CONFERENCE STATISTICAL REPORT AS OF THIRD QUARTER 2017 • COMPILED BY PHYLLIS LEE

Conference Membership Churches 2017 Tithe 2016 Tithe Allegheny East

40,448

155

$ 22,982,067.25

$

22,689,191.84

Allegheny West

16,524

63

$ 5,010,485.26

$

5,085,122.50

Central States

14,381

50

$ 3,645,461.53

$

3,674,081.76

Lake Region

31,248

106

$ 7,733,612.01

$

7,888,847.07

Northeastern

57,532

205

$ 21,894,798.31

$

21,296,297.34

South Atlantic

49,008

174

$ 17,685,904.95

$

17,135,147.71

South Central

34,806

155

$ 15,174,128.53

$

14,132,977.99

Southeastern

52,042

162

$ 18,125,521.66

$

17,287,200.80

Southwest Region

26,350

114

$ 8,788,816.33

$

8,991,753.48

30 RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017

$118,180,620.49

HISPANIC STATISTICAL REPORT OFFICE FOR REGIONAL CONFERENCE MINISTRY ON HISPANIC MEMBERSHIP AND GROWTH - 2016 COMPILED BY SERGIO ROMERO Hispanic Combined Population .

35,675,000

Hispanic Combined Membership

23,272

Hispanic Combined Baptisms

2,424

Hispanic Combined Tithe Hispanic Combined Pastors

$11,886,233.87 97

Hispanic Combined Churches

242

Hispanic Combined Properties

73

Note from Dr. Romero: We, the Latinos, have humble origins here in America, and more specifically in the Regional Conferences.

Even so, reading through the 2016 numbers can show how the Lord has blessed us throughout the years.

RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017 31

RV FEATURE

LATIN FAITH:

II

s the Latino Faith the last frontier for the struggling- to-survive churches, but also, for the self-centered, lonely, and distrustful post-Christian culture in America?

So much has been said and written about faith and church, church and faith, that it is difficult to summarize without restating clichés that have already been digested by tens of millions of Christians and scholars.

The Christian church in the United States has been in decline for many years.

Recent immigration patterns from Latin America have revitalized the church growth culture in North America. If we could synthesize how these patterns occur, crystalize them as models for failing ministries across the country, and infuse a key solution in nurturing the growth and culture of the American church, we could reshape the

32 RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017

T HE FIN A L FRON T IER HOW LATIN FAITH DOES IMPACT CHURCH GROWTH IN THE UNITED STATES way church is being done in America.

History records the introduction of Christianity in Latin America during the 15th century. This faith survived: struggles against Amerindian religious practices in the 16th century, the entanglement of the Church with the colonial state, the expulsion of the Jesuits in the Early Modern period, and the struggle for the Church to negotiate its position during independence and in the context of dictatorships and revolution.1 The resiliency of the Gospel in Latin America has come at a critical time in American History. The principles at work in the Latin Christian faith community have evolved to engage the American religious landscape.

If the American church closes the gap between its mission and its relevance, it will nurture a shift in how the Latin faith culture is engaged. In an effort to transfer the DNA of Latin church growth in American church culture, we should chart the framework of growth philosophy and practices with the intent to focus those energies to re-align the processes that are most effective.

Nearly every Fortune 500 company is investing in reaching the Hispanic community because they have identified a growth trend in the consumer market.

Politicians spend millions to garner the Latino vote. If the world sees the benefit and blessing of the Latino community for the future of our country, the church must not miss it. The church has an opportunity to engage this growth trend and we can effectively chronicle the principles at work for healthy engagement and duplication. If we do not create a clear process to evaluate the growth capacity of working with Hispanic ministry in America, we will fos-

ter a culture of decline and inevitable death.

The American church is not resilient, but the African-America church is; their resilience comes from years of suffering and marginalization. The same way, the resiliency of Latin American ministry is now being transferred to the American church. Many in America today never had to fight to survive. Faith is shaped through struggle.

The lack of resources in Latin-America has not slowed down the growth of the church, but instead has fueled creativity and the need to apply personal evangelism principles, rather than rely on resources and/or professional speakers or expensive church growth models.

My personal spiritual journey is to be able to transfer effectively the following key learning elements: • Discover how faith in the American church can be reshaped by those making a difference in this country regardless of their race, culture, and religious background.

• Become a bridge between Latino church leaders in Latin-American churches and the African-American churches in America.

• Help church leaders and pastors embrace the Latin faith transferable principles.

• Leave this project with a greater sense of spiritual resolve in my personal life and in my work as a leader.

America is the land of the opportunities. What would happen if Regional Conference pastors held hands and learned from each other and leaned on each other as we finish the assigned mission from Jesus?

Many today see the infamous wall between Mexico and America as a threat to

our Latino community. However, I see that as a blessing. Persecution was never intended to destroy our faith, but on the contrary, to strengthen it. When I read my Bible, every time I see oppression and persecution, I see like-minded, emerging leaders bringing hope and renewed faith to the weak ones.

African-Americans and Latinos have a common history of persecution, abuse, and mistreatment. Many have been able to elevate ourselves beyond those hard times and experiences. The time has come when we can do even more by working together and putting aside our pride. By itself, a horse can pull up to two tons. Two horses hitched together can pull up to 23 tons. This is synergy. If we work together, we can certainly do more, do better, and move forward to fulfill the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ. t _______________________________________ REFERENCES 1. John Lynch. New Worlds: A Religious History of Latin America. New Haven, CT, Yale University Press, 2012

_______________________________________ Dr. Sergio Romeo is ordained, married to Laura Ottati, and father to Sergio. He has worked in ministry all over the United States and South America since 1986. His responsibilities have included work as Associate Evangelist in South America, Communications Director, Hispanic Coordinator, Multi-Cultural Director, Church Growth Director, and Ministerial Associate. Today he works in the Allegheny West Conference. He holds a Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling from Andersonville Theological Seminary, and is a Professional Clinical Member and Certified Temperament Counselor for the National Christian Counselors Association.

RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017 33

RV FEATURE

THE

IMMIGRANT AMONG US

II

BY S. PE TER CAMPBELL, SR.

One cannot erase the fact

It is a proven fact—America is largely a seen as interlopers, having no real committhat this land was a refuge ment to America as a nation but are the new nation of immigrants. With the exception of the Native Americans who are from religious and political carpetbagger’s intent on exploitation and indigenous to this land, and even concommitted to enforcing changes to fit their intolerance and later be- cultural norms. Let us observe that the wellsidering those who were brought here by force to be slaves against their colcame a haven for refugees to-do is hardly migratory and if they wish to lective will, every family who settled in this come, different and easier immigration rules from war, starvation and apply. In the main, it is the poor and wretchNew World came from some other country originally. And yet America has come to an ethnic cleansing that raged ed masses that run from privation and war impasse with regards to the present stand on and seek the land of freedom and plenty. in Europe in the nineteen the immigrant among us.

The disdain and exclusionary attitude One cannot erase the fact that this land and twentieth centuries. being meted out towards the Mexicans and was a refuge from religious and political other Hispanics in general is both hypocritiintolerance and later became a haven for cal and pejorative. History bears out the fact refugees from war, starvation and ethnic cleansing that raged that in 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ceded a large in Europe in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This area of what is now the southwestern United States to the U.S country has stood as a bastion of hope, a place of freedom and government from the Mexican government. The states of Calopportunity for the otherwise downtrodden peoples of other ifornia, Nevada, Utah, most of Arizona, large portions of New parts of the world.

Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming were all Mexican territories.

It is true that many have come to take advantage of the But now, again, the Mexicans are Persona Non Grata. economic prospects and the freedom to expand their horizons There is almost a national phobia against outsiders in spite and amass wealth, but these are in the very small minority. of the horrific genocidal actions being perpetrated against the To the larger majority of immigrants, their purpose is to live peoples of many nations around the world. Despotic dictators in the atmosphere of freedom and to enjoy the air of liberty. and avaricious rulers are leaving trails of blood, emaciated As the inscription on the Statue of liberty describes it, “Give bodies of children and adults and unimaginable suffering all me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to over the world. One would think that the bread basket of the breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send world, where food is discarded by the thousands of tons, would these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside step up with open arms to alleviate the suffering by taking in the golden door!” (“The New Colossus,” Emma Lazarus, refugees in larger numbers. Yes, careful vetting is absolutely 1883) necessary. But after all, the population growth in the USA is These words are largely forgotten and the immigrants are just about static and there is still room for more to come.

34 RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017

Some have suggested that it is the fear of the coloring of America that is the driver of the exclusionary stand, while others have cited the fear of the de-Americanization of our culture.

Whichever of these it is, the dread is unfounded. The world has become a village in the sense of its exposure to the multicultural multiethnic milieu that has become normative in our present society. Invariably there are those who will hold on to the visage of the not-too-distant past when the majority ethnicity held complete and unquestionable rule, and this is where the conundrum arises.

As the nation, so goes the church in the sense that there is an amalgam of immigrants and diverse ethnicities in the membership, but not necessarily reflected in the pews. There is the twenty percent rule that has prevailed among certain sections of the membership: for some, if the influx exceeds twenty percent, it becomes necessary to flee from the mixture to go where the majority is of the same hue, the same culture, or even more shamefully, the same economic class. All manner of excuses are given for this “flight” but regardless of the pretext, it boils down to prejudice. It is Miriam calling out Moses’ wife; it is the no dealing between the Jews and the Samaritans; it is the contempt for the widow with her two mites; it is the Publican identified as belonging to a lower cast. Regrettably, the ways of the world have become the ways of the church.

We soon forget that Jesus, Joseph and Mary were once refugees, immigrants to a foreign land. Matthew’s gospel 2:13-15 states clearly that the family had to flee to Egypt—a land associated with enslavement of their forefathers—to avoid Herod who was angry at not receiving word from the Magi of the whereabouts of the child born to be king.

The problem is age old, and humanity has continued to morph into distinct clusters determined to keep the wall high and the gates closed. The matter of “the least of these” is forgotten and all others are seen as coming from a kind of dystopia that may be contagious if they are allowed free access to the full body of Christ. Therefore, let them remain caged in their own country, or if they slip through let them stay in their own cubicles. Allow them to worship in their ultra-conservative or their hypomania style. After all, it is rumored that there will be separate heavens (so it is alleged but not scripturally supported), so will it matter in the end?

But is this what God expects of His true people? Does the question “Am I my brother’s keeper?” apply and are they really my brothers?

E.G. White wrote, “From age to age the Lord has been striving to awaken in the minds of men a sense of brotherhood. Thus he seeks to establish order and harmony in the world… It is upon Christlike love that brotherhood depends. Without this love nothing can be done toward fulfilling God’s purpose

for humanity. Without it all effort is without avail….Never are we to be cold and unsympathetic, especially when dealing with the poor. Courtesy, sympathy, and compassion are to be shown to all. Partiality for the wealthy is displeasing to God. Jesus is slighted when his needy children are slighted. They are not rich in this world’s goods, but they are dear to his heart of love. God recognizes no distinction of rank. With him there is no caste. In his sight, men are simply men, good or bad” (Review and Herald, July 21, 1910).

This is the line of demarcation for the Christian from the bluster and prejudice being exemplified in today’s world. Jesus said, “I was a stranger and you took me in” (Mat. 25:35). He could very well had said “I was an immigrant and you took me in.” We Christians have a duty to the less fortunate of the world to see to their wellbeing as far as is humanly possible. With that said, shouldn’t we be openly on the side of the immigrant among us? t _______________________ S. Peter Campbell, Sr., holds a Ph.D. in Education, with a concentration in Post Secondary and Adult Education. He has offered 47 years of service as a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, departmental director, and educator. He now works as a pastor and Special Assistant for Immigration matters for the Allegheny East Conference.

RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017 35

GODORDAINED L VE

HOPE SERIES

BY PATRICE THOMAS CONWELL

I

t was October 31, 2015. As Jocelyn Thomas prepared to recreate her “wedding aisle walk” toward her husband of 50 years, Claude Thomas, Jr., she felt as giddy as she did on her actual wedding day. Nothing else crossed her mind other than the excitement she felt about celebrating her gift that God blessed her with 50 years earlier.

For Claude, this moment was God’s direct answer to his prayer; “Lord, please allow me to make it to 50 years of marriage to Jo.” He thought about all the life-threatening health challenges he’d battled over the last couple of years that could’ve ended in death. But as God had done for Hezekiah—granting his request to extend his life—God did for Claude.

With a room full of family and friends as witnesses, Jo walked down the aisle to Claude’s singing, “With these hands, I will cling to you…” the song he had sung to her at their wedding. Although slightly weathered by age and illness, flashes of his rich baritone voice still shone through as he sang; “…and I’ll never let you go!”

The promise he’d made to Jo those 50 years before, he had kept.

How fitting that Claude and Jo Thomas—icons to many of marriage and family life training—could honor their union this way.

For more than 30 years, they had traveled to churches and retreats across the continent presenting “real talk” seminars on how to power through the ups and downs of marriage and parenting. Now, they were celebrating the fruits of their own study and hard work—50 years of joyful marriage.

Their journey into giving marriage and family seminars began in the late 1970s while Claude was studying at Andrews University for a doctoral degree in Educational Psychology. “I’d developed an interest in personality studies,” recalls Claude. “Then, Jo and I

36 RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017

joined a group led by a professor and his wife who were teaching students how to conduct marriage seminars. I became fascinated with the idea of personality and needs being a driving force for how fulfilled couples feel in their marriages.” From that point, Claude and Jo began attending any marriage enrichment retreats they could find. As their own marriage improved by practicing what they learned together in the seminars and from their own Bible study, and the principles Claude learned in classes, he began to connect the dots. It wasn’t enough for couples to know how to be married; they needed to understand how their satisfaction levels in marriage related directly to their individual personalities and needs.

After Claude completed his coursework, he and Jo felt called to share what they were learning and using in their own marriage with other couples. “We’d seen how our own marriage was enriched through study and practice” says Jo, “and when something is good and getting better, you want others to experience it as well.”

“We’d seen how our own marriage was enriched through study and practice, and when something is good and getting better, you want others to experience it as well.”

—Jo Thomas “Realizing that knowing one’s personality can help fix a failing marriage made us excited to teach others how it works.”

—Claude Thomas

Jo & Jackie

Celebrating 50 Years of God-ordained Love

October 31, 2015 Save the Date and Plan to Join Us

RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017 37

HOPE SERIES

“We’ve become professional lovers, say the Thomases.

Adds Claude, “Realizing that knowing one’s personality can help fix a failing marriage made us excited to teach others how it works.”

So from the early 80s to the early 2000s, Claude and Jo set out to teach couples how to build and maintain strong marriages. In couple counseling, Claude used different types of tests—personality, loving style, and spiritual gifts—to help individuals see who they were and how compatible they were with each other. Understanding how that information factored into marriage – and where God’s principles of love fit in—helped map out a clear course for what a couple needed to do to bring lasting joy into their marriage. Sometimes, based on the results, Claude even counseled that some couples not marry.

When Claude’s health problems and illnesses made traveling too hard, the Thomases thought their shingle for marriage and family training was hung up for good. But God wasn’t ready for them to quit.

During the prep stages for their 50-year celebration, I asked Claude and Jo—my parents—to give me 50 tips for how to create a happy marriage. I compiled their tips into bookmarks and gave them to the family members and friends who shared in their event. For a few weeks after, Jo received several requests for bookmarks from people wanting to share with other couples, “Jo and Jackie’s 50 Ways to Keep Your Lover.”

I realized, then, that although my parents couldn’t travel anymore to share their relationship wisdom, we could repackage their knowledge and experience into a book that would never have to stop teaching couples how to love each other.

We’ve titled it Becoming a Professional Lover: A Weekly Devotional for Learning to Love God’s Way. “We’ve become professional lovers,” say the Thomases, “not because of any special techniques we use, but because we’ve put in the study, effort, practice, and time that’s required to master the art of loving each other. And we want other couples to do the same.”

Each week the book introduces a relationship tip, supported by scriptural references and practical application. In true teaching style, each discussion ends with a homework assignment to facilitate deeper study and practice of the principle.

Many of the tips also include a candid story from the Thomas’ own arsenal of successes and challenges as a couple and parents – a transparency that became a hallmark of their seminar style.

38 RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017

50 Ways to Keep Your Lover 1. Pattern your love after Christ and His Church.

2. Structure of your love around all the principles in 1 Cor. 13.

3. Doing things God’s way results in happiness.

4. Remember that love is a commitment, not a feeling.

5. Choose to be happy, and you will be.

6. Acknowledge that everyone has a personal love style.

7. Love isn’t love until your spouse says so.

8. Take time to know how your spouse perceives love – love him or her that way.

If you don’t, you’re only loving yourself.

9. Praise your spouse in the presence of your children and others.

10. Never ridicule or putdown your spouse.

11. Respect each other’s individual needs.

12. To love a woman, a man has to accept how she thinks.

13. To love a man, a woman has to accept how he thinks.

14. Don’t forget – God made man and woman.

15. Treat marriage like a partnership.

16. Common values are vital.

17. God says, “Two cannot walk together unless they be agreed.”

18. Oneness in harmony, not sameness, holds a marriage together.

19. Be alike enough to understand each other.

20. Be different enough to enrich each other.

21. Recognize, appreciate and use each other’s skills to help love grow.

22. Frequent words of praise keep happiness and joy alive.

23. Daily demonstrate your love for each other.

Available December 2017 in print and digital formats, Becoming a Professional Lover is designed as a tool couples can use repeatedly and at any relationship stage. And although the primary focus is on couples, anyone who wants to understand how to use God’s love principles in any human relationship will benefit as well.

Reflecting on the book, Claude notes, “Many times you’ll hear couples say how they didn’t have a marriage manual to study before they wed. Well now, couples can use our book to prepare for marriage, strengthen their marriage, or refresh their marriage, God’s way.”

It will also be a lasting legacy of Claude and Jo’s God-ordained love. t

________________________________________________ Patrice Thomas Conwell works as a freelance professional writer through her company, PeeTee Communications, LLC. She resides in Huntsville, Alabama, with her husband, son, and dog. She has written several articles for Regional Voice, Message Magazine, and Southern Tidings. She’s ghost-written three books, and is the author of an eBook, “Nobody Ever Told Me I Might Not Get Married: One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance.” Visit her website at www. ptcommunications.biz.

Passages from The Book As a wife, make Proverbs 31:10-31 your daily goal.

“In Week 20, we introduced the Proverbs 31 woman as someone who enriches her husband and children with all of her gifts and talents. Just like young people have celebrities that they copy, the proverbial woman is mine. To me, she’s awesome.

What I admire most about her is that she demonstrates the essence of God—selfless love. God the Father sacrificed His Son for me; Jesus put Himself completely aside to restore me to His Father; and the Holy Spirit constantly draws me to God. Likewise, the proverbial woman puts herself aside to care for her household; she affirms her husband whenever possible without demanding anything from him; and she keeps her family running smoothly and efficiently.”

Love isn’t love until your spouse says so.

“Jo is a ‘doer.’ Her primary loving style is more in line with agape love. She loves through serving others. She was always busy, serving me and our family.

My primary loving style is friendship love. I feel loved through togetherness—spending time sitting and talking, or sharing common interests, or just being together in the same room. Jo’s service, particularly for me, was out of balance; all of her bustling around was not making me feel loved. I wanted time with her, not her service.

Each of us can point out what makes our own love style important or necessary for another. But really, it’s necessary for ourselves. In contrast, God’s love style is selfless. And ultimately, our personal love styles are superseded by His. That means that if we love the way God loves, we will work to love each other in the ways that the other feels loved.”

Make God your partner and ask Him to help you love your spouse.

“Jackie was in graduate school full-time, working full-time, and parenting full-time. I focused on caring for the children and the house. At the end of the day, I was completely worn out.

On one particular evening, I was standing at the kitchen sink when Jackie came home. As usual, I was extremely tired.

So when he indicated that he wanted some intimate time, my spirits sank. At that point, intimate time was nowhere on my

to-do list. But my husband needed me.

Because the Bible admonishes couples not to withhold sex unless both agree, I wanted to follow God’s counsel.

I closed my eyes, right there at the sink, and breathed a prayer, “Dear Jesus, I want to love my husband tonight and give him what he needs.

Please give me the energy to do it.” And He did.

All of the love principles that you’ve studied throughout this devotional is what God requires us to practice. Because He requires it, He has to enable it. I—we—can’t can’t do it alone.”

Togetherness in work and play will keep you bonded.

“Jo and I really enjoy being together. With five children, we had to intentionally plan short, and long, getaways in order to keep our bond strong. If people see one of us, they know for certain that the other is close by.

Couples have varying ideas of what ‘togetherness’ means.

Some may wonder, ‘Do we have to spend every non-working moment together? Is it wrong to socialize, or take trips, or relax without your spouse? After all, I see my spouse at home: we eat together, sleep together, and watch TV together.’ Our daughter calls that ‘default togetherness.’

God’s counsel suggests that His ideal is much more than default togetherness. He’s built us to need human bonding, and that only happens through the time spent together. The more intentional togetherness you share, the stronger your bond will become.” t _________________________________________________________ For more information on the book and to read full sample chapters, visit www.theprofessionallover.net.

RegionalVoice • PELC Edition • Fall 2017 39

FIELD TRIP

Ready to explore what the world has to offer?

Travel. Absorb. Experience it for yourself. Come with us beyond the classroom and learn by living. Throughout the year, our students travel to Israel, China, Puerto Rico, Indonesia, and more, to explore archaeology, business, music, biology—you name it. Others spend time growing through mission service abroad, whether for a few days or a whole year. In all, 546 Southern students participated in international learning opportunities last year.

Find out how to make the world your classroom!

southern.edu/fieldtrip

The Tropical Biology class in the Indonesian rainforest of Tangkoko